Middle East News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of Israel, Iran, and other regional players, with analysis on how Middle East events impact America’s security and global stability.
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US Takes Out Iranian Behind Alleged Plot to Kill Trump
The U.S. military killed an Iranian official who allegedly orchestrated a 2024 plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, the Pentagon announced. “Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters just days after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran. Hegseth would not name the Iranian official…Virginia Allen -
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Iran Isn’t Moving Public Opinion—Trump Is
When it comes to Iran, Americans’ opinions aren’t necessarily reflective of what’s happening on the battlefield—but rather their feelings about President Donald Trump. That’s according to veteran pollster Scott Rasmussen, founder of the Napolitan Institute. As the conflict intensifies in the Middle East, Rasmussen said his polling suggests that Americans’ views on Iran appear to…Katherine Matt -
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State Department Hotline Updated to Help Americans Escape Middle East, Leavitt Says
The State Department has fixed the travel hotline for Americans seeking help in evacuating Middle Eastern countries amid the conflict in Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday. “The line was updated, and I expect every single person in this room to report on that accurately,” Leavitt said, “so that information can be…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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Fetterman Joins GOP to Block Iran War Powers Effort
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joined 52 Senate Republicans in voting against a War Powers Resolution in response to Operation Epic Fury against Iran. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., sought to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to use military action in Iran. Forty-six Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted in favor of…Pedro Rodriguez -
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California’s Newsom Indicates Israel Is ‘Apartheid State’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom indicated Israel is an “apartheid state” and said the United States needs to reconsider its relationship with the Middle East nation. During an interview promoting his new book in Los Angeles, Newsom responded to a question by “Pod Save America” host Jon Favreau about whether the U.S. should reconsider its military support of…Virginia Allen -
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Polls Suggest Public Opinion Improving Over Iran Operation
Public opinion about President Donald Trump’s military operation in Iran could be improving, with a new poll showing 56% of likely voters support the targeting of Iranian leadership. Trump has made many pitches to the American people about his objectives in Operation Epic Fury, including taking more than 20 reporter phone calls, deploying Cabinet officials…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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US Sub Sinks Iranian Warship off Sri Lanka, Killing 87 and Expanding War Zone
REUTERS—A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors and dramatically widening Washington’s pursuit of the Iranian navy. Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister identified the warship as the frigate IRIS Dena, and said it was heading back to Iran from an eastern Indian port. The attack happened…Reuters -
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US Looks to Gain ‘Complete Control’ of Iran’s Skies
The United States is close to achieving “complete control” of Iranian airspace, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed at a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday morning. “Starting last night and to be completed in a few days in under a week, the two most powerful air forces in the world [the United States…Virginia Grace McKinnon -
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On Iran, House Members Draw Battle Lines After Classified Briefing
Members of the House of Representatives exited their classified briefing on Iran on Tuesday ready to bash or praise Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing American attack on the theocratic state. “The president has my full support for everything they’re doing,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told reporters upon leaving the briefing conducted by Secretary of War…George Caldwell -
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Trump Administration Officials Reveal Why US Lost Faith in Diplomacy With Iran
Senior Trump administration officials said Iran attempted to prolong nuclear talks and deceived the United States about the use of its research reactor, leading negotiators to determine the Islamic state was not acting in good faith. In a call with reporters on Tuesday, an administration official said that Iran had attempted to drag out negotiations…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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Senate Eyes Supplemental Funding for Iran, But What About SAVE America Act?
As top Trump administration officials descended on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon to update the Senate on Operation Epic Fury, senators told The Daily Signal they’re considering a supplemental funding package to support U.S. military action against Iran. But some senators worry a supplemental funding fight could distract the Senate from other urgent priorities. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told…Virginia Grace McKinnon -
- Opinion
Victor Davis Hanson on Trump’s Dream Iran Outcome
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. We’re coming up on the fourth day of war in the Middle East since the United…Victor Davis Hanson -
- Opinion
Epic Fury Abroad, Cyber Blowback at Home: Don’t Let Iran Retaliate Through Our Networks
When I served at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, we never treated “over there” and “over here” as separate maps. In cyberspace, the map is one sheet of glass. If the United States hits a regime hard overseas, that regime looks for the fastest way to hit back without meeting us tank-for-tank or plane-for-plane….Bridget E. Bean -
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Trump Claims Iran Was ‘Going to Attack First’
President Donald Trump said Iran would have attacked first if the United States didn’t act. “They were going to attack,” Trump said. “If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that.” Trump said that feeling was based on the state of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. “We…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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US Struck Iran Based on Intel on Israel Attack Plans, Officials Say
In a classified briefing Monday on the new military conflict with Iran, top White House Cabinet members told congressional stakeholders that the initial American strikes came in response to reports Israel was planning a strike of its own. The officials suggested concerns over Iran targeting American forces in the region in response to an Israeli…George Caldwell -
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US Embassies in Middle East Targeted by Drones, Mobs
Two Iranian drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, resulting in a limited fire and minor damage to the building, according to Reuters. No injuries were reported. The strike on the embassy comes as Iran retaliates against Israel and U.S. military and diplomatic facilities in the Middle East after a joint attack by…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
Victor Davis Hanson: The Real Reason Iran Won’t Negotiate
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of a segment from today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” with Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to Hanson’s own YouTube channel to watch past episodes. This show was filmed prior to the start of Operation Epic Fury. Jack Fowler: Victor, your thoughts if we…Victor Davis Hanson -
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Who Is Iran’s Next Leader?
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead, and there is no clear successor to take his place. “The supreme leader made sure there was never any sort of heir apparent,” Victoria Coates, former deputy national security adviser to President Donald Trump, explained to The Daily Signal. The Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979…Virginia Allen -
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Trump Clarifies Objectives in Iran Operation
President Donald Trump clarified that his objectives in Iran are to destroy the country’s missile capabilities, “annihilate” its navy, prevent the regime from developing nuclear weapons, and stop its arming of terrorist groups around the world. “We have the strongest and most powerful, by far, military in the world, and we will easily prevail,” Trump…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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Rubio to Brief ‘Gang of Eight’ Monday on Iran
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is briefing congressional leaders today on Iran, an administration official told The Daily Signal. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran early Saturday morning in Operation Epic Fury. Trump characterized it as the beginning of “major combat operations.” Trump confirmed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed following…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell